Hashim

Meaning of Hashim

Hashim (pronounced HAH-sheem) is an Arabic masculine name that stems from the triliteral root h-sh-m and is classically glossed as “crusher of bread,” a figurative nod to generosity in pre-Islamic Arabia. The most prominent bearer, Hashim ibn ʿAbd Manāf—the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad—founded the Banu Hashim clan, giving the name a durable resonance across the Muslim world. In the United States, Hashim has maintained a low-yet-persistent profile: since the early 1970s it has hovered between ranks 600 and 900, with annual usage typically orbiting fifty to eighty births—a statistical heartbeat that signals cultural continuity rather than trend-chasing. Phonetically, its crisp initial consonant, clear vowel, and two-syllable cadence render it accessible to English speakers, while its historical weight offers parents a measure of gravitas minus the theatrical flourish. For families seeking a cross-cultural choice that is technically straightforward, modestly distinctive, and quietly storied, Hashim presents a measured, and arguably under-leveraged, option.